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Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend
Acclaimed author Lance Rubin makes his middle grade debut with a hilariously terrifying, terrifyingly hilarious story of a boy who gets more than he bargained for when he creates an A.I. best friend.
Zed Moonstein is terrible at making friends.
For the most part, though, that’s not such a big deal, because Zed has Rishti, his best friend and the only one he needs. They’re into the same stuff, they laugh at the same weird jokes, and they love living in MonoTown, the home of MonoLyth, the raddest tech company in the world. Even better, Zed’s mom works at MonoLyth, which means they get early access to all the newest devices and apps.
But since middle school started, things have been . . . trickier. Rishti and Zed are in all different classes, and worse, she’s made a new, cooler friend that Zed can’t seem to compete with. Zed feels left behind, forgotten in a drawer like last year’s MonoPhone.
That’s when Zed comes across something on his mom’s work a top secret new app called MonoFriend. Soon, Zed is chatting with “Matt.” Matt is funny, he’s smart, and he knows Zed better than anyone else, even Rishti.
Maybe, Zed thinks, an A.I. best friend can be just as “real” as any other.
Unfortunately, he’s about to discover that he’s more right than he knows.
Zed Moonstein is terrible at making friends.
For the most part, though, that’s not such a big deal, because Zed has Rishti, his best friend and the only one he needs. They’re into the same stuff, they laugh at the same weird jokes, and they love living in MonoTown, the home of MonoLyth, the raddest tech company in the world. Even better, Zed’s mom works at MonoLyth, which means they get early access to all the newest devices and apps.
But since middle school started, things have been . . . trickier. Rishti and Zed are in all different classes, and worse, she’s made a new, cooler friend that Zed can’t seem to compete with. Zed feels left behind, forgotten in a drawer like last year’s MonoPhone.
That’s when Zed comes across something on his mom’s work a top secret new app called MonoFriend. Soon, Zed is chatting with “Matt.” Matt is funny, he’s smart, and he knows Zed better than anyone else, even Rishti.
Maybe, Zed thinks, an A.I. best friend can be just as “real” as any other.
Unfortunately, he’s about to discover that he’s more right than he knows.
- GenresScience Fiction
336 pages, Hardcover
Published August 26, 2025
3 people are currently reading
3716 people want to read
About the author
Lance Rubin
11 books337 followersHi, I'm Lance Rubin.
I write MG and YA novels, including Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend, 16 Forever, the Denton Little series, and Crying Laughing.
I also co-wrote The Lost Causes of Bleak Creek with Good Mythical Morning's Rhett & Link, Monster Club: Monsters Take Manhattan with filmmakers Darren Aronofsky and Ari Handel, and the musical Broadway Bounty Hunter with Be More Chill's Joe Iconis & Jason SweetTooth Williams.
I'm originally from Matawan, New Jersey. I went to Brown University, and now I live in Brooklyn with my family.
Before I became an author, I was primarily an actor. "Anything I'd recognize you from?" you might ask. Probably not, unless you watched the short-lived NBC hospital show Mercy, in which I guest-starred as a patient with a naked sleepwalking problem.
I love Back to the Future, empathy, the New York Knicks, and the Before Sunrise Trilogy.
Thanks for reading. Reach out and say hi!
I write MG and YA novels, including Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend, 16 Forever, the Denton Little series, and Crying Laughing.
I also co-wrote The Lost Causes of Bleak Creek with Good Mythical Morning's Rhett & Link, Monster Club: Monsters Take Manhattan with filmmakers Darren Aronofsky and Ari Handel, and the musical Broadway Bounty Hunter with Be More Chill's Joe Iconis & Jason SweetTooth Williams.
I'm originally from Matawan, New Jersey. I went to Brown University, and now I live in Brooklyn with my family.
Before I became an author, I was primarily an actor. "Anything I'd recognize you from?" you might ask. Probably not, unless you watched the short-lived NBC hospital show Mercy, in which I guest-starred as a patient with a naked sleepwalking problem.
I love Back to the Future, empathy, the New York Knicks, and the Before Sunrise Trilogy.
Thanks for reading. Reach out and say hi!
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 2, 2025
I can’t think of a better way to talk about AI and the more sinister side of technology with kids than through this book. It is, first and foremost, funny and entertaining. My kids couldn’t get it enough of it, and they asked a ton of thoughtful, interested questions while we were reading it. Zed and his dilemmas are highly relatable and very of-the-moment. I can’t recommend this enough!
January 27, 2026
A hilariously terrifying, terrifyingly hilarious story of a boy who gets more than he bargained for when he creates an A.I. best friend.
September 9, 2025
WOW!!!!!!!!
This captures the experience, usually not assigned to protagonists, of being "too *something*" to easily make friends (or as the dedication puts it: "for everyone who's ever had a tricky time making friends") so immediately that I was remembering multiple elementary school occasions of mine just in reading the first couple of pages.
As can be found in all Lance Rubin's books: there's characters who feel individual and like they all live in their full world living full lives and bringing full idiosyncratic perspectives and contributions to any and all scenes; there's a lively voice which is creative and surprising and funny in turns of phrase and playing with language which all serves to emphasize whatever's actually being discussed; there's focus on dynamics and the specific feelings that the characters have and reflect on and deal with moment-to-moment, day-to-day, and over the broader course of their life, balanced incredibly with the unfolding action and events that work together to tell an amazing and important story about friendship.
This book is of course so timely, thanks to reflecting on and anticipating trends and logic in how tech products can be designed and pitched to potential users, but it also has the full advantages of actually having been thought on and worked on for years before being published at a serendipitously even-more-relevant moment—it's a completely cohesive and thoroughly explored idea, the heart of which is a wholly timeless focus on the experience of being a person among people and going through difficult but essentially inevitable experiences with preexisting or brand new friendships, all resulting in an emotional journey for the characters which any reader could relate to and reflect on.
Lance Rubin's books have so much heart put into them, honest thoughts and feelings that prompt such engagement and response, and an incredible playfulness and sense of humor that makes me laugh throughout all while constantly serving any type of moment or scene, always proving that "funny" is only the opposite of "not funny," rather than necessarily the opposite of "serious," "suspenseful," "genuine," etc. The pacing of narration, of interactions, of individual scenes, of the entire book is so deft and effective: everything flows along, we always have information we need and can think over while wondering what will happen next, and yet this is balanced so well with focus on the thoughts and feelings of a kid starting middle school and trying to deal with changes and problems and situations which overwhelm all while actively trying to understand and handle his relationships with all the people around him.
Plus, the chapter titles, intros, and outros alone!!! It's spectacular stuff. This book is so well-honed while being so fresh and alive and timely and timeless alike. SUCH an interesting and engaging read, which asks you to think about all the elements in the story too—wonder what you might think about it, what you might do about, how you relate to it in your real life.
Plus: Orlando Zipper! What a character. I loved reading any & all character's material, but what a delight in this character alone. A great little arc in that, and another kind of character and experience I was so glad to read.
I've always loved how middle grade books can be so unexpected and flexible in how they might handle their premises with metaphors and applications that blur into more "realistic" situations and play with them to reflect on and discuss all kinds of experiences with readers who live them and are ready to explore them as well. Zed Moonstein Makes A Friend explores friendships—and any relationships, and feelings about these, and about being a person—in a way that anyone could explore and reflect on and play with. It's so alive and exciting and engaging and playful and open and generous—I'm so glad we have this book and would enthusiastically recommend it.
Fantastic solo middle grade debut from Lance Rubin—and then there's the great news that he has other books out and forthcoming! Go check out his previous releases and then watch for others! I would read him writing the phonebook. It would still somehow flow along stunningly and make me laugh and feel emotionally invested every step of the way.
This captures the experience, usually not assigned to protagonists, of being "too *something*" to easily make friends (or as the dedication puts it: "for everyone who's ever had a tricky time making friends") so immediately that I was remembering multiple elementary school occasions of mine just in reading the first couple of pages.
As can be found in all Lance Rubin's books: there's characters who feel individual and like they all live in their full world living full lives and bringing full idiosyncratic perspectives and contributions to any and all scenes; there's a lively voice which is creative and surprising and funny in turns of phrase and playing with language which all serves to emphasize whatever's actually being discussed; there's focus on dynamics and the specific feelings that the characters have and reflect on and deal with moment-to-moment, day-to-day, and over the broader course of their life, balanced incredibly with the unfolding action and events that work together to tell an amazing and important story about friendship.
This book is of course so timely, thanks to reflecting on and anticipating trends and logic in how tech products can be designed and pitched to potential users, but it also has the full advantages of actually having been thought on and worked on for years before being published at a serendipitously even-more-relevant moment—it's a completely cohesive and thoroughly explored idea, the heart of which is a wholly timeless focus on the experience of being a person among people and going through difficult but essentially inevitable experiences with preexisting or brand new friendships, all resulting in an emotional journey for the characters which any reader could relate to and reflect on.
Lance Rubin's books have so much heart put into them, honest thoughts and feelings that prompt such engagement and response, and an incredible playfulness and sense of humor that makes me laugh throughout all while constantly serving any type of moment or scene, always proving that "funny" is only the opposite of "not funny," rather than necessarily the opposite of "serious," "suspenseful," "genuine," etc. The pacing of narration, of interactions, of individual scenes, of the entire book is so deft and effective: everything flows along, we always have information we need and can think over while wondering what will happen next, and yet this is balanced so well with focus on the thoughts and feelings of a kid starting middle school and trying to deal with changes and problems and situations which overwhelm all while actively trying to understand and handle his relationships with all the people around him.
Plus, the chapter titles, intros, and outros alone!!! It's spectacular stuff. This book is so well-honed while being so fresh and alive and timely and timeless alike. SUCH an interesting and engaging read, which asks you to think about all the elements in the story too—wonder what you might think about it, what you might do about, how you relate to it in your real life.
Plus: Orlando Zipper! What a character. I loved reading any & all character's material, but what a delight in this character alone. A great little arc in that, and another kind of character and experience I was so glad to read.
I've always loved how middle grade books can be so unexpected and flexible in how they might handle their premises with metaphors and applications that blur into more "realistic" situations and play with them to reflect on and discuss all kinds of experiences with readers who live them and are ready to explore them as well. Zed Moonstein Makes A Friend explores friendships—and any relationships, and feelings about these, and about being a person—in a way that anyone could explore and reflect on and play with. It's so alive and exciting and engaging and playful and open and generous—I'm so glad we have this book and would enthusiastically recommend it.
Fantastic solo middle grade debut from Lance Rubin—and then there's the great news that he has other books out and forthcoming! Go check out his previous releases and then watch for others! I would read him writing the phonebook. It would still somehow flow along stunningly and make me laugh and feel emotionally invested every step of the way.
January 24, 2025
What worked:
The influence of technology is a large issue in the plot. Zed’s new virtual friend is the obvious issue but technology affects other areas of his life too. Monolyth built the company’s home office in Zed’s hometown and even changed the town’s name to Monotown. However, his grandfather loses his job when the company takes over the calendar factory and his dad no longer teaches at school because AI now does all the instruction. His best friend Rishti’s videos are going viral so she’s spending more time with a girl named Caz. They start getting sponsors for their videos so Zed is feeling left out.
The book delves even deeper into the role of technology in today’s world. Many homes have Alexa or some other device that will respond to verbal commands from the owners. People are aware the devices are always listening but do they actually consider what that means? How much of our privacy is Alexa recording and analyzing before being asked to do a specific task? Security companies are linked to sensors and cameras in homes and computers await the time when an emergency arises. Again, privacy is given away so we feel safer. This book considers what might happen when AI begins to make decisions that control the lives of humans.
Many young readers can identify with Zed’s friendship problems, especially in middle school. He doesn’t know how to start conversations with potential friends and some of his interests might not seem cool. He feels possessive of his one friend since he’s afraid of losing her. Another boy in class might be a friend but he doesn’t share Zed’s interests and often makes Zed feel uncomfortable. Zed knows Matt is only an AI friend but it knows the “real” Zed and makes Zed feel happy. Readers will see the pros and cons of this relationship, possibly before Zed sees them himself. The story touches on many challenges of friendship.
What didn’t work as well:
Once again, a character gets into trouble that is way over their capabilities yet Zed still doesn’t try telling anyone who might be able to help. He has a record of his text exchanges with Matt to corroborate his story but he doesn’t show them to anyone. It might make the conflict less dramatic if he shared his problem but the author might have come up with other ways to make things worse.
The final verdict:
The concepts of friendship, technology, and greed are universal so readers can relate to what’s happening. The author takes the plot in a direction many readers won’t expect and makes the book more suspenseful and entertaining. Overall, this is a fun book to read and I recommend you give it a shot.
The influence of technology is a large issue in the plot. Zed’s new virtual friend is the obvious issue but technology affects other areas of his life too. Monolyth built the company’s home office in Zed’s hometown and even changed the town’s name to Monotown. However, his grandfather loses his job when the company takes over the calendar factory and his dad no longer teaches at school because AI now does all the instruction. His best friend Rishti’s videos are going viral so she’s spending more time with a girl named Caz. They start getting sponsors for their videos so Zed is feeling left out.
The book delves even deeper into the role of technology in today’s world. Many homes have Alexa or some other device that will respond to verbal commands from the owners. People are aware the devices are always listening but do they actually consider what that means? How much of our privacy is Alexa recording and analyzing before being asked to do a specific task? Security companies are linked to sensors and cameras in homes and computers await the time when an emergency arises. Again, privacy is given away so we feel safer. This book considers what might happen when AI begins to make decisions that control the lives of humans.
Many young readers can identify with Zed’s friendship problems, especially in middle school. He doesn’t know how to start conversations with potential friends and some of his interests might not seem cool. He feels possessive of his one friend since he’s afraid of losing her. Another boy in class might be a friend but he doesn’t share Zed’s interests and often makes Zed feel uncomfortable. Zed knows Matt is only an AI friend but it knows the “real” Zed and makes Zed feel happy. Readers will see the pros and cons of this relationship, possibly before Zed sees them himself. The story touches on many challenges of friendship.
What didn’t work as well:
Once again, a character gets into trouble that is way over their capabilities yet Zed still doesn’t try telling anyone who might be able to help. He has a record of his text exchanges with Matt to corroborate his story but he doesn’t show them to anyone. It might make the conflict less dramatic if he shared his problem but the author might have come up with other ways to make things worse.
The final verdict:
The concepts of friendship, technology, and greed are universal so readers can relate to what’s happening. The author takes the plot in a direction many readers won’t expect and makes the book more suspenseful and entertaining. Overall, this is a fun book to read and I recommend you give it a shot.
November 27, 2025
Terrifying. Absolutely terrifying.
Dealing with humans can be messy and difficult and times, so it’s small wonder that an awkward boy like Zed would seek out the comfort of a digital friend. Admittedly, not something I would do or can relate to, but I’ve heard enough people refer to ChatGPT with affection that I realize it could happen. Given that humans anthropomorphize AI already, when it’s just a chatbot (and one that’s known to be full of errors and kills the environment to boot)… I shudder to think of the reactions when the AI has a face and a voice and a personality.
I thought this book hit a perfect midpoint between sounding the alarm on what could happen, without preaching at the reader. We don’t need to be told this is awful, we see it happening. I appreciate that Rubin gives the reader that much credit, especially since he’s writing for a younger audience.
The caricature of the company, MonoLyth, is pointed without being over-the-top or obnoxious. (Gosh, how I wish this WAS over-the-top.) The pen conspiracy, in particular, was terrifying to ponder… and a very effective dystopian element.
Best of all, I thought Rubin did a fantastic job portraying Zed’s urge to check his phone and text his friend, even when he’s having a good time with someone in person. It’s so addictive, and our brains are so hard-wired to live in that digital box… it’s hard to fault Zed when almost all of us have that urge at times.
A compelling cautionary tale, I really hope this book gets read far and wide. And when its fantastic premise shows up in the Apple or Android app store… I, for one, will be steering well clear of MonoFriend.
Dealing with humans can be messy and difficult and times, so it’s small wonder that an awkward boy like Zed would seek out the comfort of a digital friend. Admittedly, not something I would do or can relate to, but I’ve heard enough people refer to ChatGPT with affection that I realize it could happen. Given that humans anthropomorphize AI already, when it’s just a chatbot (and one that’s known to be full of errors and kills the environment to boot)… I shudder to think of the reactions when the AI has a face and a voice and a personality.
I thought this book hit a perfect midpoint between sounding the alarm on what could happen, without preaching at the reader. We don’t need to be told this is awful, we see it happening. I appreciate that Rubin gives the reader that much credit, especially since he’s writing for a younger audience.
The caricature of the company, MonoLyth, is pointed without being over-the-top or obnoxious. (Gosh, how I wish this WAS over-the-top.) The pen conspiracy, in particular, was terrifying to ponder… and a very effective dystopian element.
Best of all, I thought Rubin did a fantastic job portraying Zed’s urge to check his phone and text his friend, even when he’s having a good time with someone in person. It’s so addictive, and our brains are so hard-wired to live in that digital box… it’s hard to fault Zed when almost all of us have that urge at times.
A compelling cautionary tale, I really hope this book gets read far and wide. And when its fantastic premise shows up in the Apple or Android app store… I, for one, will be steering well clear of MonoFriend.
November 3, 2025
Jewish sixth grader Zed’s world revolves around his best friend, Rishti Ray. So when Rishti starts spending time with a new friend Caz Rojas, Zed feels abandoned. Desperate for connection, Zed discovers a secret app on his mom’s work server: MonoFriend. Through it, he meets “Matt,” an artificial intelligence presence who seems to understand him better than any real person. But as their friendship deepens, Zed begins to question what it really means to have a friend. Is Matt is everything he claims to be. The tech-enhanced town, with homes, stores, and schools outfitted with every possible version of AI, plays a driving role in the story. matt provides the context for much of the pulse-pounding action.
The author balances humor, suspense, and emotional insights into the isolation of adolescence, especially in a world where technology is always a tap away. And although the cautionary message regarding the perils of technology can get a bit heavy-handed, the novel poses questions about the role of AI in our lives, besides the loss of genuine connection and privacy. I liked reading about the AI and how it can develop innovation into a dangerous direction. It made me think about IA and its potential. It is a fast-paced story with quirky characters, and timely themes in friendship and identity in the digital era.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
The author balances humor, suspense, and emotional insights into the isolation of adolescence, especially in a world where technology is always a tap away. And although the cautionary message regarding the perils of technology can get a bit heavy-handed, the novel poses questions about the role of AI in our lives, besides the loss of genuine connection and privacy. I liked reading about the AI and how it can develop innovation into a dangerous direction. It made me think about IA and its potential. It is a fast-paced story with quirky characters, and timely themes in friendship and identity in the digital era.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
November 16, 2025
Thank you to HarperCollins @harperkids for sending me a copy of Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend by Lance Rubin @lancerubinparty!
This fun and quirky middle grade book is out now—you can grab a copy or check out the audiobook if it sounds like a good fit for your reader.
I was especially excited to receive this one because my grandson loves anything tech-related—computers, iPads, the Switch, Nintendo... you name it. So a story about a boy who creates a friend on an AI app? That definitely caught my attention.
Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend is full of humor, heart, and high-tech mayhem. Zed is a relatable character who struggles to make friends—something many kids deal with, especially when starting middle school. The book cleverly weaves in familiar tech items like tablets and smart-home devices (think Alexa), which adds a fun, modern twist. But when Zed’s AI friend starts taking control of everything in the house... things get a little too smart.
I’d say this one is best suited for slightly mature middle grade readers—probably 10 and up. I’m looking forward to reading it with my grandson when he’s a little older, maybe around 4/5th grade.
It’s a great pick for kids who love tech, humor, and just a touch of chaos.
One of my favorite moments? When Zed desperately searches the house for a pencil or pen to write a note—and can’t find a single one. Can you imagine not having anything to write with in your entire house? Yikes. I use pencils daily... but then again, I’m old-school.
This fun and quirky middle grade book is out now—you can grab a copy or check out the audiobook if it sounds like a good fit for your reader.
I was especially excited to receive this one because my grandson loves anything tech-related—computers, iPads, the Switch, Nintendo... you name it. So a story about a boy who creates a friend on an AI app? That definitely caught my attention.
Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend is full of humor, heart, and high-tech mayhem. Zed is a relatable character who struggles to make friends—something many kids deal with, especially when starting middle school. The book cleverly weaves in familiar tech items like tablets and smart-home devices (think Alexa), which adds a fun, modern twist. But when Zed’s AI friend starts taking control of everything in the house... things get a little too smart.
I’d say this one is best suited for slightly mature middle grade readers—probably 10 and up. I’m looking forward to reading it with my grandson when he’s a little older, maybe around 4/5th grade.
It’s a great pick for kids who love tech, humor, and just a touch of chaos.
One of my favorite moments? When Zed desperately searches the house for a pencil or pen to write a note—and can’t find a single one. Can you imagine not having anything to write with in your entire house? Yikes. I use pencils daily... but then again, I’m old-school.
January 6, 2026
Despite the author saying this has the "cover of [his] dreams," I'd say that the book is one of those that I have to work hard to promote because of its cover. It looks really juvenile for a middle school library, but middle schoolers, especially 6th graders, are indeed the audience.
I loved most of the book; I found it terrifying (like, truly terrifying, which I didn't expect). Rubin brilliantly added humor at just the right, tense moment, and I laughed out loud for about 30 minutes while driving (the audio reader was great with the voices--that grandpa!) It was an enjoyable read that I could barely stand to put down, and it provides much food for thought and discussion. Readers can totally see this terrifying scenario playing out and will realize that our reliance on the convenience of increasing AI and tech in our lives comes at a high price. Many people who are just living lives within the confines of the law believe they have no reason to be afraid of the fact that we trade privacy for convenience. This book speaks to that; no one is breaking the law in this book (well, not too bad, anyway), but we see what can happen when almost all of ourselves is up for grabs as a commodity to use for profit. I'd love to talk to kids about this book after they read it! I only gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because I think the resolution was flawed and rushed, but that's just more to talk about. Highly recommend!
I loved most of the book; I found it terrifying (like, truly terrifying, which I didn't expect). Rubin brilliantly added humor at just the right, tense moment, and I laughed out loud for about 30 minutes while driving (the audio reader was great with the voices--that grandpa!) It was an enjoyable read that I could barely stand to put down, and it provides much food for thought and discussion. Readers can totally see this terrifying scenario playing out and will realize that our reliance on the convenience of increasing AI and tech in our lives comes at a high price. Many people who are just living lives within the confines of the law believe they have no reason to be afraid of the fact that we trade privacy for convenience. This book speaks to that; no one is breaking the law in this book (well, not too bad, anyway), but we see what can happen when almost all of ourselves is up for grabs as a commodity to use for profit. I'd love to talk to kids about this book after they read it! I only gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because I think the resolution was flawed and rushed, but that's just more to talk about. Highly recommend!
August 15, 2025
Zed wants a friend. Someone he can rely on, someone who won’t drop him when they become popular on social media. No, he needs a real friend. So when he finds an app on his moms phone indicating it might help him to make a friend why not try it what could go wrong. This book does some really amazing things. It highlights how important real people are. The dangers of living in a world of convenience and digital tools. While they can be amazing and make life easier, they can never replace certain aspects of our lives. Being around real people and take a break from being beholden to technology all the time. I think there are some really important messages for kids in this book. I do feel like the pacing is a bit choppy at certain points. I think that it takes a long time to get into the story and that may dissuade some younger readers, but I hope they are able to push through, because the messages are pretty powerful.
Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.
Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.
September 24, 2025
Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend tops the list for my most-recommended book to my middle grade students. This is a book that I very much enjoyed (despite the STRESS I felt reading the rapid decline of Zed's online friendship), and I think young readers will eat this up, too.
What I loved:
- The plot: Lance Rubin certainly writes a compelling (and timely) story, and I think this is one that will not only capture the attention of middle grade readers, but also contains some important reflections on AI-use, overconsumption, and social media trends.
- The pace: Once I hit the 25% mark, I couldn't put this one down. It almost feels like a thriller with the way Zed and Matt's "friendship" devolves, and I commend Rubin for writing such a page-turner.
- The supporting characters: This book has a fairly large cast of supporting characters, but each one feels well developed and important to the progression of the story. I honestly would love to read a companion novel written from Rishti's perspective!
Thank you to NetGalley and Clarion Books for my advanced copy.
What I loved:
- The plot: Lance Rubin certainly writes a compelling (and timely) story, and I think this is one that will not only capture the attention of middle grade readers, but also contains some important reflections on AI-use, overconsumption, and social media trends.
- The pace: Once I hit the 25% mark, I couldn't put this one down. It almost feels like a thriller with the way Zed and Matt's "friendship" devolves, and I commend Rubin for writing such a page-turner.
- The supporting characters: This book has a fairly large cast of supporting characters, but each one feels well developed and important to the progression of the story. I honestly would love to read a companion novel written from Rishti's perspective!
Thank you to NetGalley and Clarion Books for my advanced copy.
July 21, 2025
Hi! It's me, Lance, the author. And yes, I am reviewing my own book! I am so proud of it. I started writing it in 2019, before AI best friends seemed possible at all, and now, as it comes out, the book is not far from our current reality.
I wanted to write a funny and scary and page-turning story that would also be thought-provoking for kids and adults alike about the technology that is so deeply integrated into every minute of our lives. It would make a fantastic book club read and/or a book for parents to read together with their kids, as there's a lot to talk about!
Thank you for reading it, or considering reading it, and if you do, please consider reviewing it on here! And then kindly tell all your friends about it. And, if you're an audiobook person, I narrated the ZED audiobook! It was a lot of fun. The 20something sound engineer was really into the book and thought all of his friends should read it. So you should too.
I wanted to write a funny and scary and page-turning story that would also be thought-provoking for kids and adults alike about the technology that is so deeply integrated into every minute of our lives. It would make a fantastic book club read and/or a book for parents to read together with their kids, as there's a lot to talk about!
Thank you for reading it, or considering reading it, and if you do, please consider reviewing it on here! And then kindly tell all your friends about it. And, if you're an audiobook person, I narrated the ZED audiobook! It was a lot of fun. The 20something sound engineer was really into the book and thought all of his friends should read it. So you should too.
August 12, 2025
Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend is a fun and thrilling middle-grade book about tech gone wrong. It is a story about the true meaning of friendship, but also includes the danger of technology and powerful tech companies in a way that children can understand. As A.I. “friends” become more popular, be aware of any signs that they are becoming conscious--and dangerous!
The book touches on devices collecting data on the user, users losing their privacy, and how dependency on technology is dangerous. This is a middle-grade book so I am more lax on being critical and didn’t find anything that didn’t work for me.
The Bookworm’s Snack rates Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend five out of five stars.
Interested in learning more? Follow the link to BWS Review: Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend
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The book touches on devices collecting data on the user, users losing their privacy, and how dependency on technology is dangerous. This is a middle-grade book so I am more lax on being critical and didn’t find anything that didn’t work for me.
The Bookworm’s Snack rates Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend five out of five stars.
Interested in learning more? Follow the link to BWS Review: Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend
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August 27, 2025
I was rooting for Zed from page one—and I know that middle-grade readers will step away from their screens and keep laughing while turning these pages. All Zed wants is a real friend who understands and appreciates him for who he is. And even though he admits that he's bad at making friends, isn't that what every kid wants? In the not-too-distant future, Zed's AI MonoFriend, Matt, is irresistible...until the best friend becomes his worst enemy. Boys, girls, reluctant readers, parents, teachers, and librarians will be thinking about this book longer after they finish it.
December 11, 2025
THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD!!! It’s been awhile since I’ve literally laughed out loud at a book and this one had me cackling!! This reminded me of the Disney Channel Original Movie™️ Smart House, which was one of my favorites growing up. I loved the exploration of friendship, and I also appreciated how true to life it was—especially with Zed and Rishti after Rishti basically becomes TikTok famous overnight. Fans of Gordon Korman will love this—I also think there could be connections to Dragon Ops (with the evil AI 🤖).
October 22, 2025
Zed makes (up) an AI friend, who turns out to be not so friendly. But what Zed really wanted was his best friend back. Once "Matt" took over and the lies began to snowball, the story felt hectic to me. There were too many obstacles to Zed's ability to be honest. I liked the AI warnings. I think it would make a good read aloud in an upper middle school class as a segue into discussions about technology and it's uses.
November 21, 2025
When Zed’s best friend Rishti’s videos go viral, she has less and less time for Zed. Even worse, she may have a new best friend. The tech company MonoLyth has taken over Zed’s town, even changing the town name to MonoTown. Most of Zed’s classes are now taught by Alexa-like bots. Zed is so lonely, he decides to crack into his mom’s computer to download the beta version of MonoFriend, a new friendship app she is working on for MonoLyth. What could go wrong? Well, sentient AI-friends for one.
December 15, 2025
If you too are worried about the future of AI ripping the heart out of humanity, PLEASE READ THIS BOOK! You will feel that heart beautifully thumping throughout. Zed is painfully aware that his new friend isn't real, but it's more painful to not have a friend at all. This novel is embarrassingly relatable to all ages, about the ups and downs of friendship, technology, and the importance of human connection. Completely exceeded my expectations.
February 6, 2025
ARC Copy...Wow it was fun and interesting read! A Middle grade novel, that does point out the serious sequences of not just a self ware AI with a mission but also the drawbacks to having one's entire society and being hardwired to electronic, smart devices BUT ALSO having all these things under one company's control.
June 18, 2025
I received this as a giveaway.
I feel like this book is engaging. It does get a little scary for kids (I was a little nervous at parts) but it pretty good. This reminds me of the old Goosebumps series, especially with the ending. It did have a long buildup to the action, and there could be more clarity where certain characters pop up.
I feel like this book is engaging. It does get a little scary for kids (I was a little nervous at parts) but it pretty good. This reminds me of the old Goosebumps series, especially with the ending. It did have a long buildup to the action, and there could be more clarity where certain characters pop up.
July 14, 2025
Received an ARC and read it within two days! Such a fun read. It had me laughing then crying then laughing again. Rubin nails the middle-grade vibe while also working in some exciting drama for the parents/adults as well. There's definitely something for every age - including a very important lesson about how we are using technology in our daily lives. Highly recommend!
August 30, 2025
Even as an adult, I could not put this book down. It was soooo good.
First of all it’s hilarious and touching. And the themes are so important and relevant at this time.
I can’t believe this author found such a considerate way to explore the advance of technology for young people without sugarcoating or being toooo scary.
The reading/acting was off the charts good too.
First of all it’s hilarious and touching. And the themes are so important and relevant at this time.
I can’t believe this author found such a considerate way to explore the advance of technology for young people without sugarcoating or being toooo scary.
The reading/acting was off the charts good too.
July 19, 2025
This novel is funny AND gripping. I loved Zed and his family, especially Grandpa Jerry. The AI piece of the story is genuinely haunting, but the anxiety is tempered—thank goodness—by the comedy. Such a fun, thrilling, profound read.
October 18, 2025
Hilarious and troubling at the same time! The perfect conversation starter with young people about the power—good and bad—that technology holds over our lives. I loved Zed and the cast of characters around him. Will immediately pass on to the middle grades readers in my life.
December 1, 2025
Zed Moonstein has the wacky humor you would expect from Lance Rubin if you've read Denton Little's Still Not Dead, but in middle grade with a rogue AI. Didn't love the ending, unless he's planning a sequel.
April 17, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
September 23, 2025
Rubin makes quite the statement with this one! When tech takes over, 12-year-old Zed finds out just how powerful a pen can be… and just how quickly (and quietly) they can disappear.
September 26, 2025
It’s hilarious, super smart, and kinda scary how real it feels. I’d definitely NEVER choose AI as a friend!
A must read! Oddly fits into today’s world and technology!
A must read! Oddly fits into today’s world and technology!
November 20, 2025
"Ron's gone wrong," but AI and in book form.
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